Noerpel operates two logistics halls in Giengen an der Brenz, around 30 kilometers north-east of Ulm, each with around 44,000 square meters of storage space. At the Giengen I facility (Am Bühlfeld 2-8), the company tested two autonomous high-lift trucks for the internal flow of goods in the warehouse. "Digitalization and automation are among the most important trends in the logistics industry," explains Stefan Wuggazer, Branch Manager Giengen I. "Our employees were very involved in testing the robots, and the project met with a very positive response."

Trial operation with AGV

In the pilot test, Noerpel used driverless transport systems (AGVs) for these long but uncomplicated transport routes. The practical test was prepared and carried out in close cooperation with an IT service provider. In addition to the robots and software, the IT service provider also provided the IT platform that controls all processes and coordinates the interaction between humans, robots, software and peripheral devices.

To ensure that the autonomous transportation of goods runs smoothly, a hall section is first precisely measured - individual zones, rack aisles, fixed obstacles, etc. are precisely noted. The AGVs then orient themselves in the hall using this stored map, move completely autonomously and can head for any destination. "The autonomous systems therefore differ from the automated vehicles," explains Lea Schneid, Junior Operational Excellence Manager at Noerpel's Giengen I site. "These require, for example, installed tracks in the floor, i.e. they use fixed paths, or they use numerous marker points that have to be placed in the room for orientation." During the trial operation, Noerpel tested factors such as the speed of the AGV and the transportable pallet weight in addition to user-friendliness. It was also tested how time-consuming it is to provide the necessary IT interfaces.

After completing the practical test, Noerpel draws a positive interim conclusion. The trial operation with the driverless systems worked well overall and the employees showed great interest in integrating the autonomous devices into their everyday work. "As a forward-looking company, we use technological progress to continuously optimize our internal and external processes," says Lucas Noerpel-Schneider, CEO of the Noerpel Group. "We will now analyze the findings in detail and evaluate the results in close coordination with our IT department. If we can relieve our employees in the warehouse with the AGVs, processes can be simplified and the cost-benefit calculation is right, nothing stands in the way of using the autonomous robots in Giengen."